Mock Draft 6.0
Draft Week Final "What-I-Would-Do" Mock
2024 NFL DRAFT
Chicago Bears (via CAR) - Caleb Williams, QB, USC
You have to go back to Trevor Lawrence in 2021 to find a more surefire first pick than this. Williams is a slam dunk for the Bears.
Washington Commanders - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Drake Maye is far from a consolation prize here for the Commanders. This young QB has an ideal build, NFL arm talent, and good athleticism. Most drafts over the last decade would have Maye as QB1, for good reason. This kid looks to be a household name for years to come.
Arizona Cardinals (*via NE) - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
The Cardinals, who are flush with picks, are not looking to mess around when it comes to getting their guy. Marvin Harrison Jr. has frequently received Fitzgerald comps and the Cardinals would love to get a talent like that back in their building.
New England Patriots (*via ARI) - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
After making the most of a trade to net them more Draft Capital, New England still walks away with the face of the franchise in Jayden Daniels.
Los Angeles Chargers - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Even if Johnston can have a bounce-back year, their two biggest playmakers from last season are gone and the Chargers need to restock the receiving room. Nabers looks to be a dynamic playmaker that, when paired with Herbert, can be a deadly duo for years to come.
New York Giants - Joe Alt, T, Notre Dame
The Giants have lots of needs to fill and while the receiver is one of them, the number one tackle still sitting on the board allows them to sure up their OL and move on from the Evan Neal disaster.
Denver Broncos (*via TEN) - J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Look for the Broncos to be aggressive in the draft to find their guy. J.J. being here could trigger a big-time trade for this team that desperately needs to find a QB for their team.
Atlanta Falcons - Dallas Turner, ED, Alabama
Atlanta looks to be able to take advantage of an early run on offensive playmakers and draft one of the top defensive players in this year's draft. Turner will go a long way toward building up the Falcons' defense.
Chicago Bears - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Once again, the dream scenario for the Bears would be exactly this. Williams having three big-time playmakers to spread the ball around to will make his transition into the NFL that much better. Look for the Bears to learn from previous mistakes and do more to help out their rookie QB.
New York Jets - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
If Bowers is here, he could be a big time addition to the a team that is looking for players to maximize the most of their Win-now window.
Minnesota Vikings - Jared Verse, ED, Florida State
Minnesota sits tight and is able to add a solid edge rusher. I like the Vikings to not be aggressive and take the board as it falls to them.
Tennessee Titans (*via DEN) - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, T, Penn State
Tennessee's trade pays off and they are still able to grab one of the top offensive linemen in this year's draft in Fashanu. Will Levis will be able to breath a bit easier hearing Fashanu's name get called.
Las Vegas Raiders - Taliese Fuaga, T, Oregon State
I like the Raiders to sit tight with the Moustache Mates, Minshew and AOC. A stud tackle/guard could go a lot farther to a team that needs to rebuild than a gamble at QB.
New Orleans Saints - JC Latham, T, Alabama
The Saints desperately need help at tackle on both sides. Latham provides the ability to step in and be a day-one starter.
Indianapolis Colts - Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
DeJean to the Colts is a steal as far as I am concerned. He is a top 10 talent and fits in with one of the biggest needs of this organization.
Seattle Seahawks - Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
The Seahawks need to address the IOL...BADLY. JPJ can easily slide into C or one of the guard spots if last year's pick Oluwatimi makes a push for the starting center job. Regardless, this pairing is a dream for the Seahawks.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Jacksonville finds some much-needed help in their secondary with Arnold. Don't be surprised to see his stellar play in the SEC and knack for the ball propel him to an early starting role with this team.
Cincinnati Bengals - Troy Fautanu, T, Washington
The Bengals need to keeping building their line to keep their prize investment Burrow upright. Fautanu has shown he has the length and skill to be a solid bookend in the NFL.
Los Angeles Rams - Jer'Zhan Newton, DI, Illinois
The heir to Aaron Donald? Maybe not, but Newton looks to be a damn good lineman and a three-down monster that can help fill that 99-sized hold along that defensive line.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Graham Barton, G, Duke
Center may be the most pressing position for this team and while Barton is being touted as a stellar guard prospect, he can absolutely step into the center role and be an immediate starter in the league.
Miami Dolphins - Amarius Mims, T, Georgia
Mims measurables alone are enough to make any OL coach salivate, but the tape he put out in 2023, albeit limited, was very promising. As long as Mims can stay healthy he can be a wall that for Tua to feel comfortable standing behind.
Philadelphia Eagles - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Mitchell has to be considered "Mr. Pre-Draft" at this point. A fringe top 5 CB that balled out at the Senior Bowl and showed off freaky athleticism at the Combine looks to cash in with a first-round selection.
Minnesota Vikings (via CLE through HOU) - Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Minnesota's move helps guarantee them Penix Jr. here. Having Darnold helps to take some pressure off of him to start right away and the 1st round selection gives the Vikings the ability to have a 5th year option on his rookie contract.
Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Guyton, T, Oklahoma
With two starting offensive linemen leaving in FA the Cowboys look to fill a few of those holes. Guyton, while a bit raw, shows amazing athleticism and the ability to take well to coaching. He could be a longtime starter in place of Smith for years to come.
Green Bay Packers - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
An injury that dulled McKinstry's 2023 campaign might be a stroke of luck for the Packers. McKinistry still looked like a first round talent last year, albeit a bit down from the monster campaign he had in 2022. If he had that type of production with a fracture in his foot, imagine what he can do once back to 100% health.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Laiatu Latu, ED, UCLA
Latu here to Tampa is too good for them to pass on. CB is more of a pressing need, but with a quality edge rusher like Latu still on the board, the Buccaneers cannot pass on his talent and pass-rushing polish.
Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) - Byron Murphy II, DI, Texas
After addressing the giant need the Cardinals have on the offensive side of the ball, look for them to start stocking the defensive side. Murphy is a three down lineman than can be an immediate impact for the Cardinals.
Buffalo Bills - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
This might be the easiest pick made out of the top 5. I wouldn't be surprised if the Bills traded up to go get Thomas Jr. That WR room is looking pretty bare right now.
Detroit Lions - Chop Robinson, ED, Penn State
This is not a defensive front I would want to have to go up against. Hutchinson on one side and Robinson on the other would be a nightmare for tackles and quarterbacks to deal with.
Baltimore Ravens - Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
The Ravens look to keep their foot on the gas with restocking their WR room. AD would be an amazing compliment to last year's pick, Zay Flowers.
San Francisco 49ers - Jordan Morgan, T, Arizona
The biggest hole San Francisco has to figure out if they are going to finally come out on top is the guard position. The deficiency there really showed itself in the Superbowl and against top teams. Jordan Morgan's home in the NFL is most likely at guard due to his length. He looks to be a great value for the Niners with this pick.
Kansas City Chiefs - Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
My favorite pick of the entire first round. Even immediately after the Super Bowl it was thought that the Chiefs still need to add to the WR room. Hollywood Brown helps, but recent events have shown that the need is still very pressing. Ladd McConkey could be the most efficient reciever in the NFL if he was catching passes from Mahomes.
Newt Westen
Draft week is upon us!
I will be putting out two mock drafts this week. This one showcases what I would do in the seat of each GM. A lot of these go against the grain, especially the trades that may occur. I wanted to give a unique look to things that could happen and situations that I think would benefit an organization in the long run.
Here are the trades executed and the reasoning behind them for both organizations:
Arizona trades #4 and #66 to New England for #3. New England has made it known that they are willing to shop this pick and they desperately need draft capital. Arizona is flush with picks and will not want to lose the opportunity to grab the best player in this draft. This might be too rich for some, but I think Harrison Jr. is a generational talent and is worth the move.
Denver trades #12, #76, and a 2025 2nd Round pick for #7. This would be a draft day trade if made. If the Giants grab Alt right ahead of the Titans, I would want to move back to draft a tackle in a location with better value. The Broncos QB room could warrant a move up and the cost to do business at this spot might be enough for them to stomach. I will add this final note. If Minnesota wants this pick, their buying power is ultimately higher and they will easily be able to outbid Denver.